Public Health
Survey

Help us improve our Health Website

Take 2-3 minutes to tell us what you are looking for today.

Your feedback will help us improve our site.

No thanks
Take the survey
Living > Public Health, Safety

Start a F.U.E.L. group in your community

With the success of our program, we encourage other public health units to start their own program in their schools.

This is a high-level overview of how we set up the F.U.E.L. program.

Step 1: Get approvals

Each organization will have different levels of approvals. You should seek buy-in and approvals from (at least) the following area:

  • Your health unit (manager, medical officer of health)
  • Schoolboard
  • School principals

Step 2: Establish an advisory committee

Each school should have an advisory committee comprising of:

  • Public health nurse (1)
    Most schools have one assigned to each school
  • Teacher advisors (1 to 3)
    2 or 3 to oversee the program at the school
  • Youth advisors (5, but varies per school)
    Students looking to play a leadership role to their peers. Teachers will help review and select applicants.

Each member on the advisory committee has a specific role to play.

Step 3: Recruit volunteer instructors

The program requires instructors who are certified in various activities, such as yoga, pilates, aerobics, martial arts and zumba.

Check with your organization's volunteer coordinator for potential leads, or the school's volunteer list. Each instructor was required to provide proof of certification, under a criminal record check and sign an oath of confidentiality.

Our local YMCA also provided us with volunteer instructors, who were key to our success.

Step 4: Get participants

Introduce the program with a one-hour, youth-led, all-girls assembly. Hundreds of girls will be introduced to the program through energizers, motivational speakers, and creative videos.

Then, advertise and promote the new program through posters, teachers, school announcements and word-of-mouth.

Schools are encouraged to run physical activity sessions at least once per week, preferably on the same day each week. The school's advisory committee is responsible for deciding what activities they do each week.

Step 5: "Girl talk" sessions

The school nurse (or other health professionals) can offer occasional 20 to 30 minutes interactive "Girl Talk" sessions to the F.U.E.L. participants. These sessions could offer a safe environment to talk about issues such as datng and relationships, sexual health, emotional well-being, healthy eating and self-esteem/body image.

Step 6: Funding F.U.E.L.

Your school has access to many funding opportunities. Talk to your school principal or teacher advisor to find out what grants may be available to you.

Grants can go towards purchasing:

  • New F.U.E.L. equipment (yoga mats, free weights, resistance bands)
  • F.U.E.L. t-shirts
  • Healthy snacks
  • Give-aways
  • Motivational speakers
  • Ipod docking station and music

Resources to start your program

For more information, contact Sarah Leyenaar at 905-688-8248, ext. 7411.


Did you find what you were looking for today?